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G Lefèbvre

Publications and source records attributed to G Lefèbvre.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Determination of the nucleotide sequence of the 23S ribosomal RNA and flanking spacers of an Enterococcus faecium strain, reveals insertion-deletion events in the ribosomal spacer 1 of enterococci.

The usefulness of 16S-23S (ITS1) and 23S-5S (ITS2) ribosomal spacer nucleotide sequence determination, as a complementary approach to the biochemical tests traditionally used for enterococcal species identification, is shown by its application to the identification of a strain, E27, isolated from a natural bacteria mixture used for cheese production. Using combined approaches we showed, unambiguously, that strain E27 belongs to the Enterococcus faecium species. However, its ITS1 region has an interesting peculiarity. In our previous study of ITS1s from various enterococcal species (NAIMI et al., 1997, Microbiology 143, 823-834), the ITS1s of the two E. faecium strains studied, were found to contain an additional 115-nt long stem-loop structure as compared to the ITS1s of other enterococci, only one out of the 3 ITS1s of E. hirae ATCC 9790, was found to contain a similar 107-nt long stem-loop structure. The ITS1 of strain E27 is 100% identical to that of E. faecium ATCC 19434T, except that the 115-nt additional fragment is absent. This strongly suggests the existence of lateral DNA transfer or DNA recombination events at a hot spot position of the ITS1s from E. faecium and E. hirae. Small and large ITS1 nucleotide sequence determination for strain E27 generalized the notion of two kinds of ITSs in enterococci: one with a tRNA(Ala) gene, one without tRNA gene. To complete strain E27 characterization, its 23S rRNA sequence was established. This is the first complete 23S rRNA nucleotide sequence determined for an enterococcal species.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Outcome of planned pregnancies in systemic lupus erythematosus: a prospective study on 62 pregnancies.

We conducted a prospective study in order to determine planned pregnancy outcome in systemic lupus erythematosus followed in a tertiary referral centre. Pregnancy was authorized if disease was inactive on 20 mg/day prednisone or less for at least 1 yr. Upon the diagnosis of pregnancy, systematic corticosteroids consisting of 10 mg/day prednisone or more were started. In the case of antiphospholipid antibodies, 100 mg/day aspirin was added, replaced by heparin in the pre-partum period. In the case of antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by previous thrombotic events or fetal losses despite aspirin, heparin was prescribed. One woman with a history of atrioventricular block was treated with dexamethasone. Patients were monitored by medical and obstetrical examination, and laboratory tests carried out at least monthly and a quarterly echography. Among 62 pregnancies in 38 women, lupus flare was observed in 27% of the cases, 6% of which occurred in the post-partum period. Flares were moderate except in one renal involvement in a woman with prior diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis. Therapy was not modified in half of the cases. Pregnancy ended in early spontaneous abortion not related to lupus flare (n = 10), stillbirth (n = 2). induced abortion (n = 2), preterm birth (n = 29) and full-term birth (n = 19). Caesarean section was performed in nine cases. A severe infection occurred in two premature neonates. Another premature neonate was growth retarded. Two children had cutaneous neonatal lupus. No child died, neither had atrioventricular block. Stillbirth and severe prematurity were more common in mothers with antiphospholipid syndrome. After exclusion of early spontaneous and induced abortions, the live birth rate was 96%, that is close to the French general population. The main problem remains a high rate of prematurity, but without maternal or neonatal death.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1996

[Planned pregnancy program in systemic lupus erythematosus].

OBJECTIVES: Maternal and fetal risk is high during pregnancy for young women with systemic lupus erythematosus. We analyzed outcome after a planned pregnancy program for these patients. METHODS: Between 1982 and 1994, 58 pregnancy were planned in 34 women with systemic lupus. Nine of them had renal and 5 central nervous system involvement; antiphospholipid syndrome was present in 8; steroid therapy was given in 24, immunosuppressors in 2 and plasma exchange in 1. At diagnosis of pregnancy, prednisone was prescribed (at least 10 mg/d), associated with aspirin in all non-symptomatic patients with antiphospholipid antibodies followed by heparin at pre partum. Heparin was used in case of antiphospholipid syndrome. Women with anti-SSA or B antibodies and no past history of congenital atrioventricular block were not given any specific treatment. RESULTS: An acute lupus flare-up occurred in 27% of the cases including 6% in post partum. The flare-up was mild in all cases and treatment had to be changed in half of the cases. There were 9 early abortions, 1 induced abortion for congenital malformation, 2 fetal deaths, 28 premature deliveries and 18 term deliveries. Cesarean section was indicated in 8 cases. Severe neonatal infection occurred in 2 premature infants and 1 other was growth retarded. Cutaneous neonatal lupus was observed in 2 infants. No atrioventricular blocks occurred. CONCLUSION: Fetal death or very premature birth were more frequent in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. When pregnancy is planned in women with systemic lupus erythematosus, live birth rate reaches 96% after exclusion of early and therapeutic abortions. This rate is close to the rate in the general population. The high rate of premature birth is the main risk, but there were no maternal nor neonatal deaths.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1992

Protein composition of follicular fluid and oocyte cleavage occurrence in in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The present study was carried out from in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts to analyze further the total and specific protein contents of 47 follicular fluids yielding one oocyte. The aim was to find correlations between the follicular concentrations of such proteins and the occurrence of coupled oocyte cleavage. These findings would be used as markers of IVF outcome. Two groups of follicular samples were distinguished: one group with cleavage occurrence (25 cases) and another group without cleavage or even fertilization (22 cases). In the group with cleavage a significantly higher level was observed for six proteins: C3 complement fraction and ceruleoplasmin (P less than 0.02), alpha-antitrypsin and transferrin (P less than 0.01), and alpha 2-macroglobulin and beta 2-microglobulin (P less than 0.001). The data are discussed with respect to changes in follicle permeability with advancing maturity.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1992

[Pregnancy and obesity. A case control study of 140 cases].

A retrospective study of 70 fat women and 70 women of normal weight was carried out to compare their obstetric performance. The patients were assessed before pregnancy for corpulence by estimating the body mass index (IMC). Obesity was defined by having an index of 30 or above. The mean weight of the obese patients at delivery was 142 kgs and of the controls 65.4 kgs. The main risk in obese patients is a raised blood pressure (34%); and in spite of this no child showed intrauterine growth retardation. The mean weight of the newborn infants was 3.7 kgs against a mean weight of 3.2 kgs in the control group. Eighteen infants born to obese mothers were very heavy (25%). The increase in fetal weight explains why the caesarean section rate was three times as high in the obese patients as in the control due to disproportion (25%). These differences are statistically significant. Neonatal morbidity was similar in the two groups. It is debatable whether a slimming diet was worthwhile. All the same calorie intake reduced slightly to about 1.800 calories a day together with vitamin supplements is advisable. It does not have any ill effect on the fetus.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency occurring in pregnancy and caused by a defect in riboflavin metabolism in the mother. Study of a kindred with seven deaths in infancy: Value of riboflavin therapy in preventing this syndrome.

Seven infants in one kindred died: one was stillborn; the others, who were floppy at birth and were breast-fed, developed a disorder with the odor of sweaty feet and died in early infancy. In two further pregnancies, 3-hydroxvisovaleric, glutaric, and C6-C10-dicarboxylic acids were demonstrated in the mother's urine during the seventh month. Riboflavin therapy in the last trimester of pregnancy and a riboflavin-rich diet given the infants prevented this syndrome. The presence of abnormal erythrocyte glutathione-reductase activity in the mother while she excreted normal amounts of riboflavin in her urine indicates a probable disorder of riboflavin metabolism resulting in multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Systemic lupus erythematous and seminoma of the ovary].

A new case of ovarian seminoma associated with systemic lupus erythematosus is reported. The neoplasia was discovered during a flare-up of lupus. Excision of the seminoma followed by radiotherapy resulted in a 7 1/2-year long remission of systemic lupus erythematosus. This case agrees in every detail with a previously reported case, which suggests a pathogenetic relation between the two diseases. Although this association is rare, clinicians must be aware of its possibility and cautious when confronted with an ovarian abnormality in a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Adolescent↗